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RE0O!^DS 



-OK 



27u' first tcni.'/! clerk of 



BRIDGEV/ATER, MASS, 



-FROM 



1656 to 1681. 



PUBLISHED BY 



XjOI^IiTO -^J^. E»T7E'I^E:R,, 



Broclstcii, ^vdCass. 



BROCKTON: 

\VM. L. J'UKFIiR, STEAM, IJOOK AND lOB PRINTER. 

1889. 



V.S 







To Ike numerous family in DiME^IC:^ hearing 
the honored name of C:^^RY, this record is respectfully 
dedicated, by 

LOmNG H\ TUFFRm. 
Brockton, July /, 1889. 






Stale Ui5^^^^ 



r^ 



NOTE.. 

John Cary, or Carew as it was once spelled, the immigrant, came to New 
England from Somersetshire, England, and settled in Duxbury, Mass., in 1639, 
being then 25 years old. He married Elizabeth, daughter jof Francis Godfrey, 
in 1644 and by her had in Duxbury, John, 1645; Francis, 1647; Elizabeth, 1649. 

He then removed to Braintree, and had James, 1652, and finally settled in 
Bridgewater where his remaining eight children were born. He was one of the 
fifty four original proprietors of the town of Bridgewater. He removed from 

Braintree to Bridgewater in 1654. In 1656 he was chosen Constable, being 

the first town officer and only one elected that year. 

He was the first town clerk, serving until 168 1. ^ He lived in what is now 
West Bridgewater, and about one fourth of a mile \i^5t of the old church. He 

died in 1681. His wife died in 1680. 



TOWI? RESORDS 



From the Licorporation of the town m i6§6. 



The children of John Gary; 

Eleventh whose name is Sarah was 
Borne the second of August 1667. 

The twelfe whose name is Mahitabell 
was born the twenty-fourth of the last 
month, 1670. See loth page for record 
of 10 first children. 



The day and yeare of the Birth of the 
Children of John Gary Junior heare in 
the towne of Bridgewater is as followeth. 
And his marriage was the 7th of De- 
sember 1670. 

Imprimis, his first borne whose name 
was John was brought forth into the 
world the first November 167 1, and the 
Lord took hime to himselfe, and was 
buried thenineand twentieth of Desem- 
ber '71. 

The second whose name is Seth was 
borne the 28th of January 1672. 

The third whose name is John was 
borne the 9th of Desember 1674. 

The fourth whose name is Nathaniel 
was born the 24th of November 1676. 

The fift whose name is Eliazer was 
born the 27th of September, 1678. 

The sixth whose name is James was 
born the i6th of June 1680. 



The marriage of James Gary which 
was solemnized the 4 day of January in 
the year of our Lord 1681. 

His first born being a daughter who 

was borne in the sixt of November in 1 683 

of the same month 

son whose name 

[The residue torn off.] to the world 

5 

Lands laid out for Experience Michell 
in the towne of Bridgewater, as follow- 
eth: seventy six Acars of upland liing 
between Thomas Heyward seynior but- 
ting upon Johns river on the North side, 
runing in length about South West and 
North East, m A parcel of meddow 
land laid out in the Great meddow liing 
upon the North side of Nunchketatesett 
River lying between Goodman Browne's 
lott & George Partridge's lott in the 
same meddow. 

6 

It is Ordered and Agreed upon by 
the Towne, the tenth of July 1660, freely 
And willingly to give to Mr. Buncker if 
he shall come Heyther to supply the 
place of A minister, the sum of twenty 
pounds & his diet. 

It is Inacted by the Towne this 22d. 
of february 1660, that all cattle that 
goith upon the Gommon till a midsum- 
mer day, whether it be their own or 
other folks, are to be rated for. 



Be it knowne unto all men by these 
presents that Nathaniel Willis and Law- 
rence Willis Inhabytants of the Towne 
of Bridgewater do bind ourselves to 
free the said town of Bridgewater from 
any charge or Damage upon said Towne 
by the keeping their brother Jonathan 
Willis, and to the which Ingagement we 
the aboved named Nathaniel Willis and 
Lawrence Willis have Hereunto sett 
our hands this eighth day of January 
1656. 

Nathaniel Willis. 
Lawrance Willis. 

It is agreed upon by the Towne of 
Bridgewater the twelfe of March 1656, 
that there shall be live woulfe traps 
made and completely finished, the first 
tow traps by Goodman Bassett and 
Goodman Heyward Junior and Good- 
man 

Goodman Heyward Senior 
Goodman Harris & Goodm 
Lawrence Willis John 
Goodman Lathrope & Goo 
finish another and that Goo 
Edson and Goodman Foabs 
& that Goodman Willis Goodman 
Goodman Richmond and Goodman 

Ames 
finish another, and these traps to be 
by the last of March Insuing the date 
if any shall be found defective in not 
these said traps they are to pay tow 
for every day they do neglect the work 
the aforesaid time is expired. 
[ The residue on the right side is torn.] 
8 

June the 3 1657. Whereas this Gen- 
erall Court taking into theire serious 
Consideration the great defect that 
either is or like to be in severall Town- 
shipes in this jurisdiction for want of an 
able Godly teaching ministrey, and the 
great preiudice to the soules of many 
like to sufifer, and being desirous accord- 
ing to our dutyes that such defects should 
not be for want of due Incouragement 
to such as either are or shall be Imploy- 
ed in so good a worke of the Lord, for 
his honner, and the good of soules, and 
in consideration that inasmuch as the 
severall townshipes granted by the Gov- 
ernment was that such a Company 



might be received as should maintaine 
the public worshippe and service of 
God, there doe therefore judge that 
both church and town are mutually en- 
gaged to support the same: and there- 
fore do order and agree, That in what- 
soever towne there either is or shall be 
an Able godly teaching ministiey, which 
is aproved by this Government, that 
then fowre men be chosen by the In- 
habitants or in case of their neglect, 
chosen by and three of the mayjisstrats 
to make an equal and just proportion 
upon the estates of the Inhabytantes 
according to their Abylytyes to make 
up such a convenient maintainance, for 
his comfortable attendance on his worke, 
as shall be agreed upon by the church 
in each townshipp, where any is with 
the concurrence of the Inhabitants if it 
may be had, or by the maygesstrates 
aforesaid in case of theire apairante neg- 
lect, and that destress according as in 
other just cases is due be made upon 
such as shall refuse to pay their propor- 
tions, which is in justice due, but in 
case there be any other way whearby 
any townshipp Doe or shall agree that 
may effect the end aforesaid, this law 
not to be binding to them. 

[The above is a transcript of a law of 
the General Court of New Plymouth 
Colony, enacted at Plymouth June 3d, 
1657-] 

by the Towne meet together 
that those that made the weare at 

have the fish theare for this year 
made the ware in Towne are to have 
fish there for this present yeare Afore- 
mentioned. 

About the holsters bought of Good- 
man Hill, Goodman Hey Seynior 
and Goodman Harris having Ingaged 
for the payment of them being twelve 
shillings, the town was willing to pay 
it them again in their rate, in the best 
of their pay which they shall fee amerced 
to pay out of their rates. 

9 
Lands laid out for Goodman Harris 

the town of Bridgewater 

20 Acares of land upon Johns river 



3 



length about South West and North 
East 

tween John Gary's and the highway 

on the river 

acres of land being his house lott but- 
ting 
the river Runing in length about North 
And South liing between Goodman 
Brett's house lott and Goodman Willis 
house lott which Goodman Harris 
bought of Goodman Willis, which also 
is six Acares running in length as above 
mentioned. 

more A parcel of land graunted to 
Goodman Harris butting upon the river 
liing between e the said house lott which 
was John Willis & then running 
in length up to the cartway and there 
bounded 

m 2 Acares & 1-2 of meddow liing 
between Goodman Gannett's lott of 
meddow and those lots that fell to 
Goodman Godfrey &John Gary butting 
upon the river and Goodman Foard's 
meddow neer to Cutting Cove. 

m 2 Acares & i- 2 of meddow be 
it more or less liing between the minis- 
ter's lott & Mr. Willis 
being in the meddow which 
was formerly called 
the name of Goodman Fobes his mead- 
ow. 

m 2 rood of land which Goodman 
Harris bought of Goodman Brett liing 
before his Doore between his owne land 
and Godman Brett's house lotts but- 
ting upon the river runing in length 
to the highway. 

10 

The Day And Birth and year of John 
Gary's Childrens: 1645. 

Imprimis, John Gary being his first 
the fourth of November in Duxborroiigh 
the second being Francis was borne 
And place the nineteenth of January 
the third which is Elizabeth was 
Twentiety day of Desember 1649, ^ 
The fourth whose name is James was 
born at Braintree the eight and twenti- 
eth day of March 1652. 
The fift whose name is Mary was born 
at Bridgewater the eighth of July 1654. 
The sixt whose name is Jonathan was 
born at Bridgewater the fourth and 
twentieth day of September 1656. 



The seventh whose name is David was 

born at Bridgewater the seven and 

twentieth day of January 1658. 

the eighth whose name is Hannah was 

born at Bridgewater the last of Aprill 

1661. 

The ninth whose name is Joseph was 

born at Bridgewater the eighteenth of 

Aprill 1633. 

The tenth whose name is Rebecka was 

born the thirtieth day of March 1665. 

1 1 
The thirteenth of November 16 

Whereas certaine lands graunted 
by the Countrey to the Inhabitants of 
Duxbourrough at Massacquoetuccut 
now being graunted A Townshipp and 
called Bridgewater, these are to informe 
and declare the manner of laying out 
these lands. 

Wheras Constant Southworth, Wil- 
liam Paybody and William Brett in the 
Behalfe of the rest of the fefues which 
weare appointed by the Court for the 
Disposing and laying out of these lands: 
they having laid out divers shares of 
lands in the place: now in and upon A 
third division having laid out fifty 
Acares to a share to the number of 
twenty and two lots. 

But finding that it will be prediditiall 
to the town, and it being desired by the 
Inhabitants of Bridgewater to have 
their lands, namely the present division 
of fifty acares to a lott to lay by them- 
selves — 

We the above named fefues have 
agreed that the inhabitants of Bridge- 
water shall have their lands liing by 
themselves within themselves, to have 
power to lay out so much lands as shall 

In quantitie so much upland 
Laid out to the Inhabitants of Dux- 
bourrough namely twenty acare Lotts 
fiftie acares to a share 
That they come no nearer to 
namly the hous lotts then the other 
Acare lotts do which 

their being thirty and four lotts 
yet to be made up in whole or in part. 

12 
In any place within this Government 
under the penalty of forty shillings a 
time for every speaker, and ten shillings 



a time for every hearer, and forty shil- 
lings a time for the owner of the place 
that permits them so to meet together. 
And if they meet together in their silent 
meetings so called, then every person 
so meeting together shall pay ten shil- 
lings and the owner of the place where 
they meet shall pay forty shillings A 
time. 

Lands laid out by Samuel Edson Sey 
and John Gary sey,for Goodman Alden 
at his house the 15th of March 98 or 99. 
36 pole 1-2 in breadth & 80 pole in 
length runing North and South for its 
length or thereabouts. 

13 
The 15 of October 1658: 

It is agreed upon by the towne that 
every man shull have fourty poule in 
length at the head of their six Acars 
lotts, only there must be left a suffitient 
hieway between the four score poule 
and the fourty poule now graunted, and 
that there is liberty graunted if they 
that are willing may take in a common 
feild at the head of this six score rods. 
It is agreed upon the r4th of October 
1658 at a town meeting 
Goodman Edson have brought In Ac- 
cording to the Court Order his marks 
of his Cattle with the rest of the towne 
the twentieth of Desember 1658. 
Im Goodman Edson's marke 
It is Inacted by the Towne the i6th 
of May 16 that Goodman Edson and 
Goodman Brett have libertie to call a 
town meeting as they shall see occation 
for this present year. 

14 

A Child born to John Washburne 
Sen, the fifteenth of May, one thousand 
six hundred and seventy tow in Bridge- 
water, whose name is James. 

The marke of the cattle of John Ames 
seneor, being a slitt in the topp of the 
right eare, and bookt the first of Jan- 
uary 1680. 

A Child born to John Robbins the 
nth of January 1667 In Bridgewater, 
whose name is Zeduthun or Jeduthun. 

The marks of 2 colts of Goodman 
Alden 's being both of them a bay, 
the mare being in her 3d yeare having 



A peace cutt out of the" hind part of her 
right ear, her left hind foot being some- 
what white, with the town mark T. B. 
on her left fore shoulder: the other 
being A Breeding in her 4th yeare, with 
a little spott of white haires A little 
within the Inside of her hind left legg 
with the towne's brand mark T. B. on 
the left shoulder, with the same marke 
on the hind part of her right eare as 
the mare has 

this being the mark of Joseph Alden 's 
cattle. 

The marks of Joseph Alden's horses 
& a gilden of a darkish bay coullerwith 
a noch in the foreside of his right eare 
about the middle and branded with T. 
B. upon hisneare shoulder, and another 
of a darkis bay couller with the same 
brandmarks as the other. 

15 
Lands laid out for 
of Bridgewater as followeth; 

Imprimis, twertty Acares of upland 
on the south side of Johns river runing 
in length About North East & By East 
butting upon the river liing betweene 
old Mr. Bradfoard's & George Russell's 
twenty Acare lott. 

m fifty acars of upland being next 
beyond Nathaniel Brewster's butting 
upon South brooke bevelwayes opposite 
against George Sols on the East side of 
the said brooke runing in length About 
South West & by South. 

m tow acares and a halfe of meddow 
lands or thereabouts liing at the mouth 
of a Cove, the one end butting upon 
Goodman Harris meddow neer Cutting 
Cove, and the other upon John Gary's 
meddow, being the middle lott of the 
aforesaid Cove. 

m A parcel of meddow which lieth 
in the great meddow Runing from the 
river tO' the wood, liing between John 
Starre & John Washborne Junior. 

John Carey senior, inhabytant in 
the town of Bridgewater deceased the 
the last day of October in the year of 
our Lord 1680. 

And his wife whose name is Elizabeth 
Deceased the i of November 1680. 



The clay and year of the birth of the 
children of Samuel Allen Senior heare 
in the towne of Bridgewater: 

Imprimis, his second borne whose 
name is Samuel who was borne the 4th 
of December 1660. 

the third a daughter whose name is 
Essiel who was borne the ist of March 
1662 or 63. 

4, a daughter whose name is Meheta- 
ble who was borne at duxborough 20 of 
January 1664. 

5, a daughter whos name is Sarah 
who was born in April the 14th day 
1667. 

6, The sixt a daughter whose name is 
Bethiah who was born 12 of May 1669. 

7, A son whose name is Nathaniel 
who was borne loth February 1672. 

8, a son whose name is Ebenezer 
who was born 14 October 1674. 

9, a son whose name is Josiah who 
was borne 21 of April 1676. 

10, a son whose name is Elishah who 
was born 8 february 1678. 

11, a son whose name is Nehemiah 
born 5 January 1680. 

16 

The Constable namely John Ames 
Received the warrant for this present 
year The fourth of Desember 1662, and 
the town meeting was upon the 8th day 
of the same month. 



samle that fell of lands graunted to 
Thomas Heyward Junior Adjoyning to 
his hous lott & land laid out by the 
towne's appointment by Samuel Edson 
& John Cary, and then we found it to be 
poule wide or thereabouts * * 

[N.B. One quarter part of this page is gone 
at top.] 

William Snow 

John Heyward Sey 
y. Standish* 

Mr. WilHs 
Goodman Lathrop 
Guy Bayley 
Joseph Bassett 



John Heyward Ju 
Joseph Alden 
Samuel Allen 
James Allni* 
John Willis Ju 
Goodm Latham 
Goodm Birum 
Goodin Turner 
Nathaniel Heyward 
Goodm Whittman 
Goodm Baken* 
Goodm Packer 
John Carey Sey 
John Robins* 
Goodm Leach 
Thomas Snell 
Samuel Packer Ju 
Goodm mil* 
Isaac Harris 
Samuel Edson Junior 
William Brett Junior 
John Carey Junior 
Samuel Lenderson 
John Lenderson 
John Ames Junior 
John Washborne 
John feild 
Joseph Lappum 
Edward foabs 
Elkanah Willis 
Thomas Washborn 
William Foabs 
Elisha Hayward 
T7V0 more names torn so as to be unin- 
telligible. 



♦These names printed in italics, were 
written in the ori<rinal, and then crossed 
out. 



[^One third of this page torn off at top.] 
out hie ways namely Goodman Bassett, 
Goodman Edson, Goodman Brett, 
Goodman Tomkins, Goodman J. Willis, 
John Cary, Goodman Harris, Thomas 
Heyward Ju. & Goodman Foabs. 

Agreed upon in a towne meeting the 
16 of february 16 that the meeting 
house should be sealed & they 
to Goodman Godfrey £3 as followeth 
one be paid in wheate and the 
other thirtie shillings 
Indian come next Michellas follow- 
ing 



It is Ordered & Agreed upon by the 
towne of Bridgewater, freely & willing- 
ly to give unto Mr. Buncker, if he shall 
come hether to supply our wants in the 
way of the ministrey, the sum of thirty 
pounds, or twenty pounds and his Diet. 

It is Ordered & Agreed upon by the 
town that A Leve should be Raised for 
the sum of fourteen pounds, upon every 
man's estate, which is the one halfe of 
the sume which the town promised to 
Mr. Bunker for his Carriing Along of the 
Lord's Day's Exercize, & his Diet & 
also it is Ordered that they that are 
not willing to be rated, if they want any 
thing or part of the same to be made up, 
that they are to make it up. This was 
concluded upon the eleventh of Jan- 
uary 1660. 

It is Inacted by the Towne, the 22th 
of february 1660, that a leve should be 
made for the sume of five and twenty 
pounds upon every man's estate, which 
is what they promised {^promised) to 
Mr. Bunker for the Carriing Along of 
the Lord's day's Exercise and his diet, 
before his time or his year is fully ex- 
pyred. 

25 

The eighth of July 1661. It is Order- 
ed and Agreed upon by the towne that 
All Hoggs upon complaint having tres- 
passed, must be rung. 

It is Agreed upon by the towne at 
a towne meeting held the five and twen- 
tieth of Desember 1661, that those 
things that are adggitated by the town 
for the good of the whole, shall be car- 
ried on by the major vote, the vote be- 
ing caled for by the towne Clarke. 

The markes of the horse of Francis 
Carey, being a dunn cullard horse with 
a flaren maine & taile, he being Dockt, 
having a whight upon his nose & some 
whight hears in his forhead, having a 
slite In his left ear and being brand 
marked with T & B the 15th of Aprill 

1675- 

26 

John Irish, with the free consent of 
Elezabeth his wife, hath acknowledged 
the sale of their whole purchase of lands 



liing at and in this Town of Bridge- 
water unto Guydo Bayley, the first of 
the tenth month. 1659. 

pr me, JOHN ALDEN, Assistant. 

Lands laid out for Goodman Bayley 
in this towne of Bridgewater: 

Imprimis, tow acares of meddow liing 
in the flaggy meddow, running in length 
from one side of the meddow to the 
other, being betweene Moyses Simons 
his lott and Williams Tubbs his lott, 
and his second lott of meddow, being 
the fourth lot from the point upward in 
the Great medow, liing betweene Good- 
man Edsonns & Goodman Lathrope, 
running in length from the river to the 
wood. 

m in upland laid out Adjoyning to 
his house, twenty-five Acares runing in 
length About North & South, being 
{I'cind) betweene goodman Lathrop's 
and the flaggy meddow neere Adjoyning. 

The markes of the young horse of 
John Carey Sey., having a crop on the 
right eare, & a f aire starr in his forehead, 
the crop on the right ear being his 
mark. 78 

27 

It is agreed upon at towne meeting 
held the 15th of Aprill 1664, whome it 
doe concerne may have a way through 
the spruce swampe, provided that there 
be A highway found upon the Common 
to the said swamp. 

It is likewise agreed upon at the same 
towne meeting, that Goodman Edson 
& Goodman Brett is to vew every man's 
land marks, & to bound them for length 
and breadth. 

It is also agreed upon at the same 
towne meeting, that all meddows that 
are mowne or shall be mowne this 
present year, being the 15th of April 
1664, shall be rated for if they belong 
to the town. 

28 
Be it known unto all men by these 
presents, that I Lawrence Willis, of 
Bridgewater, in New England, In the 
Cullonie of New Plymouth, do acknowl- 
edge and confess to have sold unto John 
Willis Junior, being my couzin, all my 
right and interest in halfe my purchase 
of land in the said towne of Bridgewater, 



<^ all my prieviliedges & appurtanances 
belonging to the said halfe purchase, 
And that to the said John Willis, his 
heires, executors. Administrators or 
Assigns, that is to say, that share of 
meddow which lieth in the great med- 
dow, liing between John Willis Seynior 
and Goodman Edson, & halfe the up- 
land belonging to the said purchase of 
the aforesaid Lawrence Willis, only his 
six acare lott &: his twenty acare lott 
excepted; and to this Bargain of sale I 
the above named Lawrence Willis have 
heerunto sett my hand, this seventh of 
November 1660, And that with the con- 
sent of my wife Mary Willis. 



It is agreed upon by the town meet 
together, the eighth and twentieth of 
August 1662, that the town was frely 
and joyntly willing to give unto Mr. 
Thacher, according to his desire, tenn 
acares of uplane adjoyning to his twen- 
ty acares liing upon Johns river, and to 
allow hime or give him the rest of the 
lands, liing betweene James Allen & 
himselfe, to be Deducted out of the 
next division according to his propor- 
tion, and this he is to have provided 
that there be a hieway left trough the 
said lands at Johns river, only the 
town's mind is that Goodman Edson & 
Goodman Harris is to act in the be- 
halfe of the town to give or take Deeds 
of Exchange as they shall se good, with 
the help of Goodman Brett and John 
Gary, the town having chosen them, 
Goodman Harris refusing of it. 

It is Inacted by the towne mett to- 
gether the eight and twentieth of Au- 
gust 1662, that those home it doth con- 
cerne have agreed to fence their med- 
dows by the last of November Insuing 
the date hearof, and whosoever he be 
that shall not finish his part of fence or 
cause it to be done by the Aforesaid 
time, must and shall pay for the neg- 
lect thereof, twenty shillings for every 
lott. 

42 
It is agreed upon by the towne the 
last of May 1662, that these men heare 
named, that is to say, Goodman Brett 



& Goodman Hirum & John Willis sey- 
nior & Goodman Edson, are chosen to 
draw up a petition in the behalf of the 
towne to the Court, and to draw it up 
according to their discretion for the 
towne's good, and to write a letter to 
Goodman Southworth & Goodman Pay- 
body to be helpfuU to them in this re- 
spect. 

It is agreed upon by the Towne that 
Goodman Bayly is to make a sufficient 
ware to catch the Alewifes going up 
and coming down in the river of Bridge- 
water, and he is to make it upon his 
own charge, and for his paines he is to 
have six pence A thousand of every 
townsman that have them & he is to be 
paid in Indian Corne; and Goodman 
Byrum hath undertaken to make the 
like ware at Satucut river, & he is to 
have likewise 6d A thousand for the 
taking of them; and these said men 
above named are to keep these afore- 
said wares fouer years, & if the towne 
and they cannot agree in this terme of 
time, they are to put it to arbytration, 
& if any shall any way distrub these 
men by Breaking the ware or stopping 
the river, or make any Disturbance, 
they are to forfeit twenty shillings for 
in case Any such default to the towne's 
use, and the ing of towne Doth 

Ingage to get this fine and those fish 
two men are to catch these 
fish for the towne according to orders. 

43 

It is agreed upon by the towne mett 
together the eleventh of October 1664, 
that the towne was freely willing to 
cover the minister's house the second 
time, and to glase the windows as soon 
as they cann. provided they can gett 
glass for boards. 

A smale parcel of land granted to 
Goodman Snow, liing between hime and 
the river, which he was willing to ac- 
cept of in the roome of so much common 
meddow that may fall to his share, this 
being the i8th of February 1664. 

A parcell of common land graunted 
unto these men here under written for 
a common feild, liing close to the dead 
meddow on the North end, and being 
at the heads of the Garden plotts, at 



the other end Southward, I say graunt- 
ed unto these men, namly Goodman 
Pecker, John Heyward seynior, Sam- 
uell Tomkins, George Turner, John 
Robbins and John Gary, for the space 
or terme of time of five or seven years 
for to plant and make use of, and after- 
wards to throw it open for the towne's 
use. 

44 
An agreement made between the 
towne and John Willis Seynior and John 
Ames for the finishing of the chimnies, 
backs, hearths and oven belonging to 
the minister's house; and they are to find 
all and draw all, both clay, sand & 200 
bricks for the aforesaid chimnies, backs 
& oven & hearths, and to do it suffitient- 
ly, and the towne for their paines are 
to pay them next harvest twenty bush- 
ells of good marchandable corne; and 
the work to be finished before the last 
of August Insuing the date hereof, be- 
ing now the thirteenth of May 1664, to 
be paid when Indian corne is marchan- 
table. 

This record, made the i8th of febru- 
ary 1664, the towne being met together, 
doth declare and hold forth that the 
town did resigne and make over to 
Mr, Keith, the house and grounds be- 
longing to the minister's lott or pur- 
chase, according to the tenour of the 
agreement made betweene Mr. Keith 
and the towne, and give him free liber- 
ty to possess it. 

45 
Lotts lotted heare in the towne of 
Bridgewater, the ninth of October 1665; 
and they fell as foUoweth: — Imprimis, 
upon boore meddow, 

1 John Washburn sey. 11 

2 Goodm. Bayley i 

3 Willi. Snow i 

4 Nicholas Byrum 1 1 1 1 

5 Thomas Whitman 1 at black brook 

6 Thomas Whitman i lott John Hey- 

[ward sey. 

7 Thomas Heyward 2 Mr. Bradfoard 

[sey. II 

8 Samuell Wadsworth 3 George Par- 

[11 [tridg 

9 Lawrence Willis i — 

10 John Tomkins i Satuccutt Pond 



11 Mr. Willis i i lott Samuell 

[Wadsworth 

12 Thomas Heyward 2 John Wash- 

[Jr. I [burne Ju, 

13 John Willis sey. i 2 Goodm. Lath- 

[rope I 

14 Goodm. Edsonn i 4 Mr. Partridge i 

15 Samuel Tomkins i 5 Solomon Le- 

[nersonn i 

16 Francis Godfrey i 6 Goodm. Bassett 

[sey. 

17 Goodm. Latham i 7 Goodm Byrum 

John SGoodm. Turner i 

18 Thomas Whitman 11 latham i 

19 Goodman Wadsworth Snell i 

20 Mr. Keith i — 

21 Goodm. Pecker 11 Whitman's hole. 

22 Joseph Bassett i Goodm Edsonn 

23 Goodm Wadsworth 1 1 2 love Brew 

[ster. 

24 John Foabs i 

25 Goodm. Byrum 

26 Goodm. Baken 



Joseph Bassett's land with the 2 holes 
of meddow. 

Thomas Heyward sey. neerest to it. 

Goodman Byrum at the ridg with a 
peace of meddow up the river to Goodm. 
latham's. 

John Heyward Juni. at Bayley's 
farme with a small parcell of meddow 
neer adjoyning to the other end of Bay- 
leys farm. 

Samuel Allen at the further end of 
Salsbury plaine. 

Francis Godfrey at the left hand. 

John Robbins at the right hand of 
Salsbury plaine. 

Above West meddow Goodman Savel, 
Goodm Goodman Leach & John Gary 

In dead meddow. Will Paybody, Nath 
Heyward & Goodm. Pecker. 

Byrum's Hole. Goodman Harris and 
Joseph Alden. 

Below the West meddow, Goodman 
Brett. 

46 
This record, bearing date the ninth of 
October, 1665, doe witness that the 
towne of Bridgewater have frely and 
fully graunted to Daniell Bakon of the 
same towne, twenty pole of ground in 
length and fowrty pole in Breadth upon 



the other side of Matfield river, right 
opposite against his fourty Acars of 
lands on this side the same river, which 
was laid out to the same Daniell Bakon 
by Goodman Edson and Goodman 
Brett, upon this consideration, that the 
said Daniell Bakon is to allow for it in 
his next division of lands. 

It is agreed upon at a town meeting, 
that the lands laid out by Goodman 
Edson and Goodman Brett & Goodman 
Byrum & John Cary for Mr. Keith, at 
the other side of Bull's Hole & upon 
Satuccut river, that Mr. Keith shall en- 
joy it against whomsoever shall oppose 
him, being townsmen; the towne meet- 
ing being lawfully warned by the con- 
stable the fourth of November 1665 by 
the governor's warrant, and these men 
above named had free liberty to lay it 
out for Mr. Keith, being chosen and 
appointed by the towne for that end 
and purpose. 

(Page 70 continued.) 
It is inacted by the towne mett to- 
gether, the 17th of June 1675, that all 
the householders in towne, together 
with all the male children from twenty 
years ould and upwards at or before the 
present date heareof , who are now found 
to be sixty fowre in number, are to be 
full purchasers in the lands at titicut, 
and they are to pay for the purchase of 
it by an equal proportion, & what 
charges may be expended in and about 
the getting of the said lands, they are 
all to bare their proportion in an equal 
way and manner. And it was likewise 
agreed upon that the aforesaid purchas- 
ers should bring in the pay for the 
purchase of the aforesaid lands by the 
twenty fift of this present month of 
June insuing the date hearof, which is 
to every purchaser five shillings, 2 shil- 
lings in silver and a bushell of corne; 
and they are to carry their pay unto 
Samuel Edson Sey. by the aforesaid 
time appointed, or els they are to loose 
their lands, and if the said lands be not 
to be had, we are to have our money 
and our corne back againe, so far forth 
as the undertakers have theirs, whose 
names are as followeth: Elder Brett, 
Samuel Edson Sey., and Nicholas 



Byrum Sey., who being at my house to- 
gether, did agree that each of them 
would receive their part of the afore- 
said payment for the aforesaid purchas- 
es according as they are equally ingag- 
ed for the payment of it to the Indian, 
and being disappointed by the trobbles 
to bring in their pay according to the 
above mentioned time, the purchasers 
doe now ingage to carry in their pay 
according to the above-mentioned pay- 
ments, by the 25th of February after 
the date hereof, which is now the loth 
of February 1676, and that to Samuell 
Edson Seynior. 

The 9th of March 1676 or 77, the 
towne being mett together did ingage 
& promise once more to carry in their 
pay to Goodman Edson for titicut land 
as aforesaid, or els to loose it according 
to their former agrement; and they are 
to pay alike & to have alike equall pro- 
portion in the said lands, & the pay to 
be made by the 16 of March after the 
date hearof; and they did agree yt Mr. 
Keith should have 50 or 60 acars of 
lands either at the east or west end of 
the lands. 

It was agreed upon by the towne mett 
togeyther, the first of November 1675, 
that there should be a fortification 
aboute the meetting house for the safty 
of the towne in the time of danger, to 
be made with halfe trees seven foot hie 
above the ground, G rood long and 9 
rood wide beside the flankers, every 
quarter or squaderon to doe each of 
them a side or an end: and they thad 
doe the ends must make each of them 
a doore and each of them a flanker, and 
this worke to be finished and donn by 
the 6th of November insuing the date 
hearof. 



It was agreed upon by the towne mett 
togeither, the 20 of November 1675, 
that there should be a gareison made 
about Mr. Keith's house, and the coun-^ 
sell shall take notice of what was to be 
donn, and to devide to every squaderon 
their share. , 



It was likewise agreed upon at the 
same towne metting, that the raters 
should make a rate of sixe pounds in 
money for the procuring of powder and 
ballets for the towne's use, according to 
court order. 



It was ordered and agreed upon by the 
towne meett togeyther the loth of De- 
sember 1675, that ther should be a rate 
made of 12 pounds in money, 7 pounds 
whearof was to be raised according to 
warrant from the gouernment, and the 
other 5 pounds was or is to be raised 
for those souldears that shall goe forth 
of our towne, being prest to the service 
of the countrey, and is to be laid out 
upon such necessaries that they stand 
in need of, 4 pounds of which money 
was or is in goodman Edson's hands, 
formerly to be laid out upon powder & 
ballets, but now appointed by the towne 
for the present use or need of the soul- 
diers as above mentioned. 

72 
The town being mett together by or- 
der from the Governer, and warned 
thereto by the Constable, the 21st of 
August 1676, 1 John Gary, Gleark, being 
cald upon by the Inhabitants to call 
for a vote, who should have the money 
that was made of the Indians that was 
sold last. And the vote passed that 
the souldiears that took them should 
have the money: the contrary vote being 
cald, I se but three men at most, who 
held up their hands to the contrary. 

It was Agreed upon by theTowne mett 
together the 12th of September 1676, 
that for Billiting of horses a night and 
a day, they should have 6d, and for a 
meal for a man, ^d. 

The same Towne meeting Above 
named, the Towne chose Deacon Willis 
& Samuel Edson Sr., the Deputies to 
goe Downe to October Gourt, to present 
A true Estate of the towne, which was 
required by warrant from the Governor. 

At the same Towne meeting. Deacon 
Willis and John Gary Sen. was chosen 
to take in the charges of the late warr 



since June Gourt, & of the scouts that 
went out upon that Imploy since or be- 
fore June Court, and they are to be 
satisfied for their labor. 



The Towne being mett together, be- 
ing warned thereunto by the Constable, 
the 4th of Desember 1676, Agreed with 
Samuel Tomkins to sweep & look to 
the meeting house A full year after the 
date hereof. And he was to have us 
for his labour or pains. 

At the same Towne meeting, Insigne 
Hayward was chosen & had liberty 
from the towne to make sale of 600 of 
boards which dus belong ts part of the 
Towne for the price of the old meeting 
house, which was yet in the hands of 
Marke Lathrope as part of the payment 
for the old meeting house. And the 
above said Insigne Hayward has liber- 
tie to dispose of part of it for glass for 
the meeting house wha it was wanting. 

73 

The towne being mett together the 
4th of Desember, 1676, made choyce of 
John Ames Seynior and John Gary Ju- 
nior, for this year, to be helpfull to the 
Constable and the Grand Jury man 
About their Inspection into such houses 
that may be thought to harbour Any 
English or Indians to sell or give any 
Liquors or sider to make them drunke. 

At the same towne meeting, the In- 
habitants made choice of Lieutenant 
Hayward and John Gary Seynior, to 
look after Mr. Keith's maintenance for 
this present ye^r Insuing the date above 
named. 



The Towne being mett together the 
i6th of May 1676 or 77, Did freely 
Graunt that Samuell Washborne should 
have 50 acares of land laid out at the 
head of his fathers Washborn's land, 
which lands belongs to the next Division 
of 50 acars, and given to him by his 
father. 

At the same towne meeting it was 
agreed upon that John Ames seynior 
should have 50 Acars of upland land 
laid out at or about his meddow, liing 
at the further side of Hullett's plaine. 



And at the game Town meeting was 
graunted A peace of hieway to Deacon 
Willis, riming by or through his lands 
to the river. 

At the same towne meeting, John 
Cary Sey, had a graunt of lo acars of 
land graunted to him At the head or 
side of his garden plott range about the 
length, upon this condition that he is 
to book all of the i6o Acars of land 
that is already laid out, with the three 
lotts of meddow belonging to all the 
purchasers. 

74 

The towne being mett togeither the 
twentieth of Desember 1677, Did accor 
& Agree to give frely to Mr. Keith 
twenty and foure pounds to be paid at 
his house, the one half to be paid in 
Indian corne, and the other half in 
bords and Clabbords, by the last of 
Aprill Insuing the Date hearof, and the 
said twenty four pounds to be raised by 
way of rate upon the Inhabitants of the 
towne, which was given to Mr. KeitJi 
towards the building of him A conven- 
ient Roome or dwelling house, the 
boards at ^s a hundred and clabboards 
shaven at k,s per hundred. 



The towne being mett togeither the 
2ith of February 1677, did agree and 
weare willing to give and exchange and 
Graunt that Goodman Tomkins should 
lay Downe 40 Acars of upland liing on 
the bay path, for 40 Acars of upland 
liing upon Johns River, beyond Good- 
man Washburne's Lands & the great 
pine hill or on the other side of the pine 
hill to the Southward of it in the noche 
of land. 



The towne being warned and mett 
togeither the 25th of May 1678, did 
agree and make choyce of Leiutenant 
Hayward and John Gary Sey. to take 
an account from Mr. Keith, that it may 
be knowne what is due to Mr. Keith 
from the toWne, from the time of his 
beginning here to present date hereof, 
that so some Gourse may be taken for 
the gathering of it in. 



The towne being warned and mett 
togeither as above sayd, did likewise 
concur and agree to fenc in their med- 
dows wheare need shall require it. And 
if there be any upland found within the 
meddows so fencd in, it was ordered 
that those men which fencd their med- 
dows any whear belonging to the 
Towne, should have the said uplands 
divided amongst them, provided that 
the rest of the purchasers have the like 
previledg and quantitie of upland in and 
aboute their meddows fencing in. And 
it was agreed and concluded upon that 
the fence should be a post & 3 railes. 

The towne being mett togeyther the 
thirteenth of November 1678, Did 
jointly Agree and concure together that 
in consideration of Mr. Keith's weak- 
ness and inability for the present to 
carry on the Lord's day's exercise, they 
did frely and willingly Ghuse Elder 
Brett to Assist him in the work and 
worship of god. And in consideration 
thereof, the lord Inabling him to per- 
formance of the work between this and 
the first of May Insuing the Date hearof, 
the towne did freely Ingage & so wil- 
ling to give him tenne pounds in corne, 
between this and May Day. 



The towne being warned by the Goun- 
stable & mett togeither the 2d of Jan- 
uary 1678, in reference to the settlement 
of the ministree and the buying of 
Thomas Snell's lands neere the meet- 
ing house for that end & purpose, the 
vote being cald by the towne Glearke, 
it doth manifestly appeare that the 
vote was clear, And thqt the major part 
of the towne was willing to the afore- 
said worke, witness their hands or 
names to this paper hear adjoining, 
which was put to or set to in the towne 
meeting: aforesaid. 



The towne being mett togeither the 
14th of february 78, did joyntly agree 
that if any man did take up any stray 
horses, and if they were found in their 
hands, they weare to be rated for them. 



The towne being mett together the 
9th of May 79, by warrant from the 
Governor, did joyntly agree that Ed- 
ward Michell & Joseph Washburne 
should keep Sattuccut wear for the tak- 
ing of the fish for the towne's use for 
this present year, & Edward Foabs & 
John Gary junior was to keep the ware 
in towne upon the same account for the 
towne's use, & Edward Foabs & John 
Gary is to have A percli and 1-2 of 
Gorne of 2000, & Edward Michell &: 
Joseph Washburne is to have half a 
perch of Gorne 1000, & look wheare 
they end in delivering of fish this yeare, 
ther they (they) are to begin the next 
yeare following. 

76 
It is agreed upon the towne of Bridge- 
water, the 17th of May 1680, for fhe 
incouragement of Mr. Keith who is 
called to the worke of the Ministrey, in 
respect of his annuall maintenance, 
that two agents be yearly chosen by the 
towne, and impowred by them to take 
an account of Mr. Keith with reference 
to the payment of his just dues accord- 
ing to the agreement of the towne, and 
in the towne's behalfe to se to the full 
discharge of the agreement made be- 
tween them both, jointly and severally, 
of all persons therein concerned, that 
he suffer not by the neglect of any that 
doe not attend their duty in paying of 
him his just and full due according as 
our honoured court have made provis- 
ion, as by their laws inacted for the 
maintaining the ministrie of the word 
in their severall plantations doth ap- 
peare, and as for the full accomplish- 
ment of the present concernment so to 
inquire into what may be nessesarie in 
respecte of neglect of former duty by 
the neglect of any that have not dis- 
charged their duty therein, the persons 
annually chosen by the towne having 
full power by & from the towne to im- 
prove all just and legall charges for 
the recovery of the minister's due, ac- 
cording to the agrement made between 
the men chosen and impowered, or 
either of them, for this present year, 
was Nickolas Byrum Seynior and In- 
signe Hayward, the towne being called 



or warned togeither by the counstable 
by vertue of the Governor's Warrant. 

It was further agreed upon by the 
towne mett togeither the day «S: yeare 
above written, that all swine should be 
rung from a quarter of a yeare ould and 
upward, by the first of June next insu- 
ing the date above said, and whose 
swine soever was found unrung after 
the sett time appointed, is to pay six- 
pence a peece for every one that is not 
rung, the one halfe to the informer & 
the other halfe to the towne. 

77 
The towne of Bridgewater being to- 
geither the nth of June 1680, and hav- 
ing received an order from the honoured 
Gourt, wherein we are desired to send 
our agents to give meeting to the agents 
of Middlebery, in order to the settle- 
ment of the line between us and them. 
We doe therefore, being mett togeither 
as aforesaid, chuse & appoint our trusty 
and welbeloved friends, Samuell Edson 
Seneor & Decon Willis & Insigne John 
May ward, to be agents for the towne 
aforesaid, & by these presents impower 
them to act in the settlement of the 
bounds aforesaid, according to their 
best wisdom and discretion, and to is- 
sue the matter respecting the bounds 
aforesaid either in publicke or private, 
as they shall se cause, & We the towne 
of Bridgewater aforesaid do promise to 
accept of their utmost indeavours hear- 
in, and to acknowledg what they shall 
faithfully in this particlar as our act & 
deed. 

The day & year abovementioned. 
Samuel Washburne tooke Titicute Med- 
dowes to cutt for this year for t,s. And 
John Leonard tooke the Commons of 
meddow that is without or beyond, or 
to the Northwestward of the lotts in 
the great meddow or about the pond, 
for 6s. And Goodm. Leach tooke or 
hyred Draks Meddow for i.f 6^. 



The day & yeare above written, the 
towne being mett togeither, did frely 
agree and consent togeither yt these 
tenn men should build & maintaine a 



u 



good substantial! hors bridg over 
the river neare wliear the three rivers 
meet in the roadway laid out by jury 
for Plimouth road leading to Pemkin 
bridge for their hie way work, and are 
to be freed from all other hie way mak- 
ing or mending, as long as they doe 
keep up or maintaine a good horse 
bridg in that place or road or river as 
above mentioned, and no longer, for if 
these tenn men let it fall or goe to de- 
cay, & it be not servisable, they must 
return to their former hieway mending 
againe, whose names are these as fol- 
loweth; Marke Lathrop, Joseph Bassett, 
Samuel Edsonn, Joseph Edsonn, Josia 
Edson, Edward Michell, John Ames 
Ju., Samuel Lenderson, Isacke Harris, 
John Hayward mimi. 
78 
For as much as the towns men of 
Taunton have sent their messengers, 
and by them have desired our lines 
should forthwith be runn for the pre- 
vention of trespasses and preservation 
of peace, We being also desirous of the 
same thing for the same end, We 
the inhabj^tants of the towne of 
Bridgwater, being mett togeither 
the twentieth of Desember 1680, have 
chosen and appointed for the worke 
aforesaid, these persons hereafter men- 
tioned, viz., Samuel Edson Sene., Dea- 
con John Willis, Ensigne John Hay- 
ward, Samuel Edson Ju., Edward 
Foabes and Josia Edson Edson, who 
are hereby appointed and impowered 
to run these lines between Taunton & 
Bridgewater according to theire agree- 
ment, that the bounds of each towne 
may be knowne. 

The first of February 1680, the pur- 
chasers of the towne of Bridgewater 
being mett together, doe agree to pay 
twelve pence a peece in part of pay for 
the settling of bounds of the said town- 
shipp, and for the defraying of other 
nessisarie charges, which shall arise 
upon the improvement of agents for to 
make a full agrement with persons con- 
cerned in such differences as may be- 
tweene the aforesaid towne and other 
townes, or otherwise to defend their 
right as they shall se cause. 



79 
The towne of Bridgewater being mett 
togeither the 24th of March 1680 or 
81, in reference to an order that came 
to us from authoritie sometime before 
we mett togeither, that we should pro- 
vide for ourselves a stock of store pow- 
der and bullets against a time of need, 
the towne accordingly did agree togeith- 
er for their present help, that every in- 
habitante of the fowne should disburst 
the fift p't of his rate which he was 
rated to in Mr. Keith money rate, 
which was made the nth of the 7th 
month, 1680, which fift part did amount 
to £4 4^" 5^/ with the Elder's pay. 

The towne being mett togeither the 
loth of May 1681, by warrant from au- 
thoritie, did agree and covenant with 
Insigne hayward & Samuell Edson 
Junior, they both being willing, to finish 
and maintaine a sufficient weare to take 
fish or catch them when they come 
down heare in the towne river, 
neare to or at the place wheare the 
fish have beene formerly caught, and 
that for the towne's use; & they are to 
have half a peck of Indian come a thou- 
sand for taking them, of every one that 
doe receive them from the aforesaid 
men, which aforesaid men have free 
libertie from the towne to keep and 
maintaine the said weare as long as 
they shall see meet, upon the same 
tearmes above mentioned, that is, for 
the towne's use, & for half a pecke corn 
a thousand, and no man or person is 
to make any weare in Tauntonn above 
the said weare, to hinder the fish from 
coming downe to the said weare. 

It is ordered & agreed upon by the 
major part of the towne, mett togeither 
the 25 of August 1 68 1, that they weare 
willing to raise Mr. Keith maintenance 
from fourty pounds to fifty pounds, 
besides his 30 cords of wood which was 
formerly promised him; twenty pounds 
of the said fifty to be paid at Bostowne 
or in money at home, at the end of half 
the yeare, which is in the month July or 
August; Thirty pounds to be paid at home 
in corn & orovisions, to be delivered at 



14 



his house in february, at the end of the 
other halfe yeare. And he is to have 
the 30 cord of wood paid into him ac- 
cording; to the season, by the towne's 
appointment, which was the last of 
No\ember annually. 



*The pages of the original record are 
indicated by figures in the middle of 
the line. 

[Note — Here end the records in the 
handwriting of John Cary, Clerk of 
Bridgewater, who died in 1681, and was 
succeeded in that office by Samuel 
Allen.] 



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